Rowan County Commissioners on Monday are scheduled to approve alcohol sales during special events at West End Plaza.

Contained on commissioners’ consent agenda — used for items with unanimous agreement — is a West End Plaza rental policy that contains a clause allowing beer and wine sales. The policy has been discussed during two previous meetings.

Commissioners will consider the policy for a third time during its 3 p.m. meeting on Monday at the Rowan County administration building at 130 West Innes Street. Consent agenda items are usually approved at the start of the meeting. Items can also be pulled from the consent agenda.

The sale of beer and wine was proposed by Commissioner Craig Pierce as a way to accommodate events at West End Plaza that would want to sell alcohol.

In June, commissioners voted to change county ordinances to allow beer and wine sales at West End Plaza. The sale of alcohol is still prohibited at all other county facilities. The ordinance change, however, required adherence to a rental policy, which hasn’t yet been approved.

During July’s meeting, Commissioner Mike Caskey proposed tabling the proposal to give Rowan-Kannapolis Alcoholic Beverage Control a chance to review the beer and wine clause.

Terry Osborne, the Rowan-Kannapolis ABC general manager, said the proposal didn’t contain any major issues. The only change resulting from the ABC’s review was requiring bartenders at West End Plaza events to complete the state’s free Responsible Alcohol Seller Program.

The beer and wine clause in the rental proposal hasn’t seen significant opposition from members of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. Rowan residents, however, have spoken up during public comment periods in previous meetings to express opposition.

Former Rowan County Commissioners Chairman Jim Sides sent an email to all commissioners, County Manager Aaron Church, County Attorney Jay Dees and County Clerk Carolyn Barger just before the July 6 meeting to express his concerns. The proposal was tabled during the meeting.

“I will not bore you with details on the evils of alcohol,” Sides said. “I will not recite to you the many statistics outling the actual cost in dollars and human lives due to the use of alcohol. I will not tell you any of the stories of the broken homes and families ruined because of alcohol. I will not quote you the many scriptures from the Bible which warn of the consequences of wine and strong drink.”

In his email, Sides said economic benefits wouldn’t be realized by allowing alcohol on county property.

He said the previous policy, which prevented the consumption of alcohol on county property, was adopted by a unanimous vote of commissioners.

“A vote to change the current policy on alcohol on county property will be a vote to appease certain special interest groups in the county,” Sides said in the email.

Other items scheduled for consideration during Monday’s meeting include:

• Approval of a contract with ADW Architects to oversee construction at West End Plaza

ADW Architects, which completed the county’s master plan, on July 6 was also selected to oversee any future renovations for county offices.

The first phase of construction includes a new room in the middle section, measuring approximately 147,100 square feet and upfits for the Board of Elections and Veterans Services.

The total cost of the first phase is projected to be $2 million to $2.3 million. The cost includes about $55,500 in architect fees and $112,000 in engineering fees. The cost doesn’t include fixtures and furnishings, such as furniture.

In a letter to commissioners, Church says Rowan County has $1.8 million already allocated for the project, which could create a shortfall of $200,000 to $500,000. Church suggests alternate bids for each portion of the first phase.

• Declaring a site at 5680 Wright Road in Kannapolis as a public health nuisance.

An agenda attachment from Planning Director Ed Muire says the site has continually been used to store various wastes.

The property owner could appeal commissioners’ decision within 30 days.

If the decision isn’t appealed, Planning Department staff could negotiate a contract for the removal of waste and place a lien on the property.

• Authorizing Church to negotiate a contract with engineering firm Talbert, Bright and Ellington for a community hangar

The contract would be brought back to commissioners for final approval on Sept. 8.

Rowan County’s Airport Board approved a community hangar — about 15,000 square feet —during its May meeting.

• Approving a lease with Alcoa Power Generating Inc. for 63 acres of land next to Eagle Point Nature Preserve

The land would be leased to Rowan County at no charge.

• Appointing insurance agent Douglas Jones as the first designated Kannapolis resident on the Rowan County Housing Board

Jones is the current president of the Rowan Rescue Squad. He has served on the board previously.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.